Inflatable bimini top

Abstract

A bimini for a boat includes a cover mountable to the boat and an inflation system arranged in fluid communication with the bimini. The bimini is transformable between a stowed position, a retracted position, and an extended position. The bimini is transformable between the retracted position and the extended position via operation of the inflation system.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A bimini for a watercraft, comprising:
 a cover mountable to the watercraft; and 
 an inflation system arranged in fluid communication with the bimini; 
 wherein the bimini is transformable between a stowed position, a retracted position, and an extended position, and the bimini is transformable between the retracted position and the extended position via operation of the inflation system, 
 wherein the cover comprises zones of inflated beams and flat portions, and 
 wherein the inflated beams comprise stitches with air gaps there between. 
 
     
     
       2. The bimini of  claim 1 , wherein the inflated beams comprise air chambers. 
     
     
       3. The bimini of  claim 2 , wherein the air chambers are welded together. 
     
     
       4. The bimini of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is mountable to a tower structure of the watercraft. 
     
     
       5. The bimini of  claim 4 , wherein in the stowed position, the cover is affixed to the tower structure. 
     
     
       6. The bimini of  claim 5 , further comprising a storage pouch provided on the tower for storing the bimini during non-use, and when in the stowed position, the cover is positionable within a storage unit of the watercraft. 
     
     
       7. The bimini of  claim 1 , wherein the inflation system includes an air tank and a hose, the air tank being fluidly coupled to the cover via the hose. 
     
     
       8. The bimini of  claim 1 , wherein the bimini is affixed to the watercraft via straps. 
     
     
       9. The bimini of  claim 1 , wherein the cover includes a base, the base being inflatable via the inflation system. 
     
     
       10. A watercraft, comprising:
 a bimini including a cover transformable between a stowed position, a retracted position and an extended position, the bimini being mountable about the boat; and 
 an inflation system arranged in fluid communication with the bimini, the inflation system being operable to transform the cover from the retracted position to the extended position, 
 wherein the bimini comprises zones of inflated beams and flat portions, and 
 wherein the inflated beams comprise stitches with air gaps there between. 
 
     
     
       11. The watercraft of  claim 10 , wherein the inflated beams comprise air chambers. 
     
     
       12. The watercraft of  claim 11 , wherein the air chambers are welded together. 
     
     
       13. The watercraft of  claim 10 , wherein the inflation system includes an air tank fluidly connected to the bimini via a hose. 
     
     
       14. The watercraft of  claim 13 , wherein the cover is stowable when in the retracted position. 
     
     
       15. The watercraft of  claim 10 , wherein the watercraft further comprises a tower structure and the cover is affixed to the tower structure when stowed. 
     
     
       16. The watercraft of  claim 10 , wherein the bimini is affixed to the watercraft by at least one strap.